Signet Rings

Signet rings, a family heirloom or a personal keepsake…

At John W. Thompson and Son in Sydney we handcraft signet rings to your request. While signet rings are traditionally used to engrave family seals, more recently signet rings have become pieces of jewellery usually engraved with the wearer’s initials or other personalised designs. Our master engravers can do it all, whether your are looking to celebrate a birthday, bring back family tradition, or have a personal keepsake in mind a signet ring is a unique way to harvest a memory. The request for signet rings is rising in popularity because today we want to remember our history and create long lasting memories. Signet rings can be a gift, a possession, or a keepsake, and they provide not only a memory but also an heirloom for you and your family.

The history of the seal engraved signet ring…

The signet ring or ‘the Seal’ has a fascinating history and can be traced back to as far as 3200 BC. Seals were used as opposed to a signature; they were personal imprints, acting as markings of authenticity and bounding agreements and edicts. No other form of jewellery has played such an important role throughout history or been involved in ancient customs or superstitions like the signet ring. Today the signet ring is still an iconic piece of jewellery, bestowing the modern day owner with a sense of pride and distinction.

A timeless accessory or ornate treasure…

While seal engraved signet rings in the past were used in place of signatures, today these rings can mark milestones or precious memories. One difference between antique or traditional signet rings and their modern counterparts has to do with the official seal. In the past, authentic rings were functional as well as ornate, so they had to be readily recognised as official. Modern forms are not used as official signatures, so the design chosen for your signet ring is more personalised and can be any design of your choice. Traditionally seal engravers would create a mirror image of the wearer’s coat of arms, initials or signature, so the seals would not contain a reversed image. At John W. Thompson and Son we pride ourselves on using the traditional method to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

A signet ring of your choice…

At John W. Thompson & Son we can seal engrave precious metal to achieve the highest level of detail. These metals include:

Platinum

Yellow

Rose

White gold

Seal engraved signet rings are extremely popular even today, although they are rarely used for impressing wax onto a document, they are worn by family members wishing to proudly wear their heritage and family history. Often we wish to celebrate a milestone with a keepsake, which is why custom signet rings are becoming increasingly popular also.